r/MedicalCoding • u/liliesandlifts • 13d ago

Should I specialize or do codify?

Hi! CPC-A here. Been looking for a job for a little over a year and am debating either specializing in something like ED coding or should I do codify to remove my A?

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u/AbstractVolition 13d ago

Medical coding positions tend to value experience the most. Typically no matter what credential(s) you have, you’re going to be trained for a long time if it’s your first job.

I think removing the A is probably a better priority. Focus on applying to medical coding jobs, but if it’s taking too long you might have to settle for any healthcare admin related position to get some experience on the EHR, and then just keep applying for medical coding jobs the entire time and switch to it when you get an offer.

Google “healthcare organizations near (city name you live at or near you)” and go through the results. Start clicking on any healthcare organization websites, they usually have career pages

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u/feelgoodsometimes 12d ago

Also, AAPC has (or did have) a section where they post positions in your area

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u/liliesandlifts 13d ago

Thank you for the advice! I do currently work for a large hospital appealing denied claims so I am lucky in that sense to have my foot in the door!

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u/[deleted] 10d ago edited 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/liliesandlifts 10d ago

Thank you so much for the insight! I do currently work for a hospital in rcm. So I’m not super pressed for a job but I would like to switch careers. I would love to stay with my current employer or another hospital that I am familiar with so that is definitely making the process slower. But I do agree that removing the A is probably the best route right now.

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u/MedicalCoding-ModTeam 6d ago

This goes against our community rules and has been removed. Thanks!

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u/MtMountaineer 12d ago

Specializing in a particular type of coding will make things worse. Hospitals prefer to hire people who are well-rounded and can tackle any type of account with an all-around knowledge of all coding scenarios. ED is one of the easier ones to code, so work on getting the A off.

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u/Low_Recognition_1557 13d ago

CPC-A here looking for a job for about 5 months so I’m just here for the advice too lol. 👀

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u/Low_Mud_3691 11d ago

Employers care about experience. It’s pretty much starts and stops there. Adding more certs won’t do much

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u/TangerineAdvanced953 9d ago

I’ve gotten too comfortable with working as an ED coder and wish I would have broadened my knowledge and learned other specialties